As promised I'm here with Tohoshinki's latest, "Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou?" or why did I end up falling for you? (another translation being why did I fall in love with you? etc). This single hit one on the oricon, sending Tohoshinki into the record books (
evidence). I'm happy to hear this, as this is one amazing amazing single. The A-side leaked very early, but the actual single was released on the 16/07/08.
Tohoshinki- Doushite etc CD+DVD coverTracklisting: (combining the versions together)1: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou?2: Box in the Ship (aka boxing the sheep)3: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? (accapella)4: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? (less vocal)5: Box in the Ship (less vocal)
Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? is an amazing track. It's a beautiful ballad with a steady RnB beat. It opens with a pretty ethereal little part before introducing the vocal and the main beat. All members sing with so much emotion, enough to move (even) me to tears (at first, I have become immune now :P ). The song is incredibly sad, about two childhood friends. In a typical manga situation the guy hasn't been able to confess, and now the woman is getting married. The lyrics are absolutly stunning. This song is just perfect, coming together so well. Everything just sounds so beautiful and sad.
Two versions of the PV were made for this- a drama version which did not feat Tohoshinki and another version which included scenes of Tohoshinki. The
drama version is excuted well, with scenes fitting the lyrics and pretty decent acting. The
Tohoshinki version slides in scenes of each band member, and then a group shot. Their faces can be a ltitle overacted, but otherwise they look very pretty in white.
Box in the Ship (aka boxing the sheep) takes a 360 from Doushite etc and is a fun, upbeat summery tune. It's complete with Island like instrumentals and happy vocals. I love the adlibbing little thing they do- the "ahoy" thingies. It's very typical little pop tune, but I'm a sucker for their vocals and the "boxing the sheep" is pretty amusing (if slighlty strange... they should really tell them how to say these things! Pronounce your engrish properly!). The instrumental break is a little dark sounding for the song but still adds a little bit of variation. The bit just before the ending, where they overlay their vocals, is very nice.
Lastly there is an Accapella version of Doushite etc on the CD only version. Accapella pretty much annoys me, but this one is quite pretty. Apart from the overly pronounced "ohs" the vocals are still beautiful and emotional. They keep good rythmn and the dynamics are good. The accapella version certainly captures the emotion of the song. To be honest I love the song, so another version is quite appreciated.
I'll also note that I like both the instrumentals for Doushite etc and Boxing the Sheep. It does bring to light how repetetive both isntrumentals are, and how Tohoshinki drive the song forward by themselves for the most part.
The single balances a heart-breaking and beautiful ballad, with an upbeat and fun little summer number. This contrast works rather well, if it was too ballads or "sad tracks" it would be down right depressing right? Tohoshinki showed a very mature side of them with their last single, beautiful you and they continue to improve and show this mature side with Doushite etc. It's a beautiful, and memorable track filled with alot of emotion. Box in the Ship is cute without being annoyingly so, and their engrish is lol worthy. It's nice to listen to and very catchy. Overall this single is a must listen. It's amazing. Tohoshinki are clearly a talented and mature boyband. (atleast now...)
Overall: 8/5 (AWESOMENESS- highly reccomended)
On a last note I don't really like the covers. Both are very plain and overly white. Beautiful you covers were much sexier. I suppose they were aiming for something ethereal. I also like how on the CD+DVD they are all looking in different directions, and only Hero is looking up.